The Roman Army, 31 BC–AD 337: A Sourcebook

The army in the field 99
(Section 26) Because of the incredible weight of missiles we may hope
that the advancing Scythians (i.e. Alani) will not get very close to our
infantry formation. But if they do get close, then the first three ranks
should lock their shields together, and, standing shoulder to shoulder,
withstand the charge with all possible strength in the most concentrated
formation, joined together in the strongest possible way. The fourth
rank [shall hold up their pikes, so that they can kill any enemy horsemen,
but not hold them straight up, so that the spearmen overshoot with
their spears], while the first rank should wound and stab the horses
and their riders ceaselessly with their pikes. (Section 27) When the
enemy has been repulsed, if there is an obvious rout, the infantry
formation should open up and the cavalry should advance, though not
all the squadrons, only half of them. The vanguard of this formation
should consist of those who are first to advance. (Section 28) The other
half should follow those who have advanced first, but in good order
and not in full-blooded pursuit, so that if the rout becomes complete,
the first pursuit can be sustained by fresh horses, and if there is a sudden
enemy counter-attack, they can be attacked as they turn. (Section 29)
Simultaneously the Armenian archers should advance and shoot, to
prevent the retreating forces from turning, and the light-armed spearmen
should attack at the run. The infantry formation should not remain in
the same spot but should advance more quickly than a walking pace,
so that if any stronger resistance is encountered from the enemy it can
again provide a protective screen in front of the cavalry.
(Section 30) This is what should happen if the enemy are routed at
the first attack. But if they wheel about and aim at an encirclement of
our wings, the wings of our light-armed archers should extend their
position onto the higher ground. I do not think that the enemy, noting
that our wings were weaker as a result of this extension, would thrust
their way through them and break up the infantry. (Section 31) But if
the enemy should overcome one wing or both of them, it is absolutely
inevitable that their cavalry will expose their flank to us and their pikes
will be at right angles to us. Then our cavalry should attack them not
with a bombardment of missiles, but with swords and battleaxes. The
Scythians (Alani) being unprotected and with their horses unprotected
(the text breaks off here).
Cf. text no. 153. The text is damaged at Section 26; the restoration of Bosworth
1977:240 has been translated. Arrian’s tactics give the major role to the infantry,
not the cavalry, and it seems that he adapted his defensive formation from the
model of the Greek phalanx in order to deal with a massed cavalry attack from
the Alani; Roman commanders had tried various ways of protecting the legions